What are the black balls on the sticks coming from the traffic lights?

I wondered if anybody could inform me of what the black balls on the sticks coming from the traffic lights are? I've noticed them on traffic lights around the area and wondered what they were used for?

ANPR camera's.

Traffic sensors

I wondered if anybody could inform me of what the black balls on the sticks coming from the traffic lights are? I've noticed them on traffic lights around the area and wondered what they were used for?

These are Puffin type crossings. Similar to Pelican but the sensors you describe detect people still walking across the road and keep the lights at Red until the road is clear. These don't have a flashing Amber so as a driver you have to wait for Green before you can proceed.

These are Puffin type crossings. Similar to Pelican but the sensors you describe detect people still walking across the road and keep the lights at Red until the road is clear. These don't have a flashing Amber so as a driver you have to wait for Green before you can proceed.

I thought puffin had been banned in public places

Breathing second hand smoke from vehicles is deemed socially acceptable.